Rodriguez - Cold Fact

Year of Release:  2009 (Re-release) / 1970

Label:  Light In The Attic

Genre: Pyschedelic Folk / Rock

Music: 3.5

Sound: 3.5
Format Reviewed: CD

 
LISTEN to Sugarman


The mysterious Rodriguez appears on the cover posed like some sort of floating 70's zen-gangster.   Like some sort of supermodel he needs no second name.


Originally released in 1970 on the Sussex label, "Cold Fact" has been released by Light in the Attic, a fine independant label that has brought us music from Saul Williams, Peanut Butter Wolf as well as a selection of re-releases from the 60s and 70s.


This debut record, along with his follow-up album was released in his native United States but he, along with his music, was forgotten along with the many other so called "Psychedelic" artists that came and went in the late 60s and 70s.


Whilst this record fell into what DJ Shadow calls "a pile of broken dreams", Jesus 'Sixto' Diaz Rodriguez put down his guitar and exchanged it for a shovel, working as a labourer and starting a family in his hometown of Detroit.

Whilst, this record didn't sell well in the United States, he slowly gained popularity in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and in the latter nation, his record went platinum completely unbeknown to him.


Some 20 years later in the 90s, he was resurrected by the internet, where his daughter found his fame and myth on the web and let the world know that Rodriguez was alive and well and didn't die of a heroin overdose on stage - as was rumoured.  In 2009, propelled by growing underground fame, he set out on his first world tour.

"Sugar Man" features as the first track and is definitely the highlight. Chances are you've probably heard this song before and I have to admit I've been playing it around the clock. It took me about the 10 listens before I realised it is about a drug dealer, because its sweet, sweet sound is so infectious.  Other highlights for me include, "Hate Street Dialogue" and "Jane S Piddy".

He describes his own guitar playing as "average" - I would say simplistic. But there's beauty in his music and reminds me of a grittier Cat Stevens with his poignant lyrics and guitar chords telling the tale of the struggle.
 
However, as with Cat, it can all get a little monotonous, as musically there's not a lot of depth and both his message and delivery is not strong enough to propel this record as a 'classic'.  "Sugar Man" is essentially THE 'single' for the album and for good reason - is possesses the most distinct sound and promises so much.  Ultimately, the album doesn't build or progress from that first track - it's all nice but not amazing.  Perhaps I'd set my expectations too high or perhaps it's too much to ask for from an artist that was never given the chance to develop and refine his craft.

I don't really keep albums around where I only like a track or two but when I question this record's place in my collection, I hear Rodriguez's voice ring out,  "Sugarman, you're the answer, that makes my questions disappear..." and I stop analysing and just enjoy the music.